Landscape Garden Designs

What's in the garden now?

First of all look at the site for the new garden and answer the following questions:

1. Where does the sun rise and set?

This will tell you where the sunniest part of the garden will be and which parts will be in shade most of the day.

2. Do you want the garden to be totally enclosed?

If you are overlooked or there are unsightly buildings in view we recommend placing fences or hedges around the garden. You may want to be able to see a distant hill, or church from a location in the garden. Such views can be "framed" by careful planting of trees and shrubs.

3. What are the ground conditions?

• Is the ground stony and therefore likely to drain well or is it heavy clay and prone to holding water?
• Is the soil acid or alkaline?

You can buy a simple soil test kit from the garden centre to check this or you can look at what plants are growing well in your locality, (for example if rhododendrons grow happily the soil will be acid).

These factors will affect the plants you choose for your garden!

4. What features in the present garden have to stay?

As well as the house you will probably keep the shed although you may want to change its position. Probably there will be mature trees to preserve and perhaps a pond is already present.

5. The character of the house.

• Is it a cottage style or is it formal?
• Is it old or modern?

The style of your garden needs to blend with the style of your house!